History

Centre of Plasma Physics (now renamed as Centre of Plasma Physics –Institute For Plasma Research) is one of the leading research organizations in North East of India. It was established in 1991 under Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of Assam, as an autonomous research institute to the objectives pursue basic research in theoretical as well as experimental plasma physics and its related areas. The Centre started functioning since April 1991 in a rented house located at Saptaswahid Path, Dispur, Guwahati. Since its inception, it  was headed by Director and was managed by a Governing Council. The Governing Council of the Centre consisted of four eminent scientists of the country with representatives from Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Bombay and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta; top level State Government officers and some local members. The first Chairman of the Governing Council was Late Professor Predhiman Krishan Kaw (the former director of Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar), a world renowned Plasma Physicist who took keen interest for the all-round development of the Centre. After the expiry of its 3 years' term, the Governing Council of the Centre was reconstituted by the Education Department with Prof. A.C. Das, Dean of Physical Research Laboratory as its chairman. The founder Director of the Centre, Prof. Sarbeswar Bujarbaruah, is a distinguished plasma scientist of the country and recipient of `Vikram Sarabhai Research Award' in 1989 and Kamal Kumari National Award in 1993.

Prof. S. Bujarbarua
Founder Director

Over the last few years after its formation, the Centre has taken up several theoretical investigations in fundamental plasma processes such as nonlinear phenomena, instabilities, dusty plasma and has set up facilities for conducting basic plasma physics experiments. Funds are available from several Central Government agencies (like Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Science and Technology), the Centre has taken up experimental programmes in the frontline areas of plasma physics, such as dense plasma focus and dusty plasma. The scientists of the Centre are working in close collaboration with national and international institutes like Institute for Plasma Research, Gandhinagar, Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta, Kyushu University, Japan, University of Bayreuth, Germany, Culham Laboratory, UK, and Flinders University, Australia, to name a few. The Centre also runs a Ph.D. programme with students registering with Guwahati University. Another component of the academic activity of the Centre consist of holding lecturers and colloquia on plasma physics and other branches of physical sciences.

In 2004, the centre was shifted to its permanent campus at Nazirakhat, Sonapur, Kamrup, Assam, which is around 20 KM far from Dispur. The main building of permanent campus was from NE pool fund of Govt. of India. The administrative building and the hostel cum canteen building were funded by TATA Tea and MP fund of then opposition leader of Assam Dr. Manmohan Singh (Former PM of India) respectively.

In pursuance to Govt of India, to take up the centre under its banner, finally Govt of India decided to take it under the DAE as a sister organization of Institute for Plasma Research, Ahmedabad, India. It was 29th May 2009, the centre was formally merged with IPR with a new name, Centre of Plasma Physics-Institute for Plasma Research. Since then, it has been  headed by Centre Director and is managed by a Managing Board headed by Director, IPR. The first Centre director was Prof. S. Bujarbarua, the founder director of the institute. After retirement of Prof. Bujarbarua, Prof. K.S. Goswami was appointed as Centre Director of the Institute. It has at present twelve faculty members, fourteen other staff and a number of research scholars and project scientists. The theoretical and experimental research is oriented towards basic plasma physics as well as programs that compliment the major programs at IPR. Presently, the institute is headed by Prof. Bipul Kumar Saikia, Acting Centre Director

(Information last updated on 21/10/2019)

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